Comfort and Joy

If a blog could gather dust, this one would have it. I think this is the longest it's been that I haven't posted something. This fall has flown by so I'll hit some highlights.

If you've ever wondered what to do with old hymnals or books, you can make a book wreath like the one I made above.  I had made one years ago to hang in our home in Ottawa. There was no way it would make the move so I gifted it to a close friend. I hated to part with it but at least I knew it went to a good home! This time I made one for Wayne's office at church. Because the office walls were basically the same color as the pages, it seemed to disappear on the wall. I found a wall hanging at Kirklands to be almost a "charger" and I LOVE how it turned out! The medallion in the middle reminds me of Luther's Rose which is perfect. 

Buddy is living his best life. He drives me batty with the amount of shedding that occurs in my house on a daily basis. My yoga pants are constantly covered in dog hair. I find it highly satisfying to take him outside and brush his coat with the Furbinator because I know whatever I brush outside is one less hair that I'll need to vacuum up inside. But he's cute. I'll give him that. 

Zanna had a fantastic first semester of Sophomore year! She has a nice roommate, is doing great in her classes, loves her friends, and throughly enjoys high school life. She auditioned for the spring musical and got a part! Practices will start when she returns next month and we look forward to going up there in March to watch the performance. 

In October I attended the Pricilla Project, a WELS pastor's wives retreat for our district. It's always such a treat to get away and spend uninterrupted time in God's Word and fellowship among the ladies. It was a great mix of familiar faces and new ones too! 

Fran came for a visit and was with us through Thanksgiving (the American one in November). I hosted for the first time in 7 years! With my mom and dad no longer in Wisconsin, we didn't have a reason or a place to go up north so both kids came home. Will's girlfriend, Emily, was able to join us too as she lives in the Dallas area. 

Wayne had surgery on his shoulder the week beforehand. He tore his rotator cuff at a fire call 6 months earlier. It's been a challenge for him being down an arm. Will had to carve the turkey while dad gave directions - haha! 

Our church hosted our second Advent by Candlelight with the theme of "Comfort and Joy". The program was written by my mom so that made it extra special! We had a lovely evening and six of my neighbors came along with a Facebook friend from Dallas I'd never met (but she's a longtime friend of Mom's), and Emily. I have cherished these evenings over the years set aside during the busy and chaotic days leading up to Christmas. It's been an opportunity to breathe in the profound message of Jesus coming that allows me to slowly exhale throughout the rest of Advent the implications of that coming and the one to come. Comfort and Joy.